Manually copying the movie to the iPad will keep it there regardless of whether it is in your iTunes library or not. If you automatically sync the movie and delete it from iTunes it will be deleted from the iPad on next sync.

If you are trying to save room on your desktop/laptop and the movie files live on an external hard drive you know you can reference them in itunes rather than add them to the library, just hold the option key as you're dropping the movie into iTunes. The file will be referenced in iTunes and not copied to your actual hard drive.

If you are trying to save room on your desktop/laptop and the movie files live on an external hard drive you know you can reference them in itunes rather than add them to the library, just hold the option key as you're dropping the movie into iTunes. The file will be referenced in iTunes and not copied to your actual hard drive.

Not sure if this helps but it cant hurt?

OMG i did not know that...Best advice ever! You learn something new everyday...